Rabat, September 30 (TNA) In a landmark moment for the Kingdom of Morocco and the broader Arab world, King Mohammed VI on Tuesday received Mme Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri at the Royal Palace in Rabat, appointing her as Head of Government under Article 47 of the Constitution and charging her with forming a new administration. The milestone designation marks the first time a woman will lead the government in Moroccan history.
Following her royal audience, El Mansouri expressed immense pride and gratitude, describing the appointment as a "historic moment for our country" and a testament to the Sovereign's ongoing vision for women's empowerment. "It is the first time a woman is appointed to head a government, which is a source of pride for me and for all the women of the country," she stated, emphasising her intention to form an administration capable of delivering realistic and concrete solutions for all Moroccan citizens, especially the nation's youth.
A Tradition of Reform and Empowerment
El Mansouri’s elevation to the premiership represents the culmination of a decades-long institutional transformation guided by King Mohammed VI since his accession to the Throne in 1999. Over the past quarter-century, Morocco has systematically expanded legal, political, and socio-economic rights for women.
A pivotal cornerstone of this progress was the structural overhaul of the Moudawana (Family Code) in 2004. That landmark reform established joint legal responsibility between husbands and wives in family management, set the legal age of marriage at 18 for both sexes, and introduced strict judicial oversight regarding polygamy, divorce, and matrimonial guardianship. Ongoing discussions for further updates to the Moudawana continue to build on this framework, aiming for enhanced gender equality and family protection.
Beyond legislative frameworks, women have progressively broken barriers across every branch of state governance:
The Royal Cabinet: The late Zoulikha Nasri made history as the first female royal advisor in Morocco, setting a national precedent for women shaping strategic economic and social policy at the highest levels.
Diplomatic Corps: Moroccan women have increasingly stepped into key ambassadorial roles worldwide, including Mounia Boucetta (former Foreign Ministry Secretary-General), Nabila Freidji (Norway), Bouchra Kadiri Boudchich (Panama), Wissane Zailachi (Australia), and Nezha Alaoui M’Hamdi (Rwanda).
Territorial Governance: Women have steadily advanced into pivotal administrative positions, including regional governors (walis), expanding local leadership and decentralised state governance.
A Seasoned Political Trailblazer
El Mansouri brings extensive legal expertise and decades of executive experience to her new appointment. Born in Marrakech in 1976, she holds degrees in Anglo-Saxon law from Pace University (USA), business contract law from the University of Montpellier (France), and private law from Mohammed V University in Rabat, and has practised as an attorney at the Marrakech Bar since 2005.
Her political career began as a founding member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in 2008. She previously served as Mayor of Marrakech (2009–2015 and 2021–2027), member of Parliament, President of PAM’s National Council, and Minister of National Territory Development, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy (2021–2026). Recognised internationally, she was named among Forbes’ top 20 most influential young women in Africa in 2014 and selected as a Young Global Leader.
As coordinator of PAM's collective leadership, El Mansouri has already initiated consultations across the political spectrum to form a cohesive coalition government. Her appointment not only seals a momentous chapter in Morocco’s modern socio-political evolution, but also serves as a beacon of progress and empowerment across North Africa and the entire region.